Staff Bios

Chad McClellan, Chancel Choir Director

Chad McClellan is a graduate of Rollins College where he studied vocal performance and conducting. Chad currently teaches chorus and piano at Piedmont Lakes Middle School in Apopka, Florida and serves as Chancel Choir director at Merritt Island Presbyterian Church. He is also in his second term as the president of the board of directors for the Garden Community Choir, Inc. In 2008, he formed Sounds Like Chicken A Cappella, an all male vocal group that performs throughout the Central Florida area.

In 2011, he was the founding president of the Sigma Eta chapter of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, the nation's largest music fraternity. He is also a member of the American Choral Directors Association, Florida Vocal Association, Florida Music Educators Association, and Barbershop Harmony Society, and is a Big Brother in Big Brother Big Sisters of America.

Leslie Mitchell, Financial Secretary and Praise Band Director

Leslie is originally from Michigan but has called Florida home for more than 40 years. She has attended MIPC since 1977 and became the Praise Band director when we first started our contemporary service in 1997. In 2014 she took on the added responsibility of being the church secretary, and as of January 2019 became Financial Secretary. She holds a BS in Hospitality Management from Florida International University and has many years experience in both the business and music industries. She regularly plays keyboard for local bands and theaters, and accompanies students at solo & ensemble and drama competition. In her spare time, Leslie likes to read, watch movies, and run in local 5K races. She lives in Rockledge and has three grown sons, TJ, Forrest & Sheldon; two daughters-in-law; and two teenage cats, Ziggy and Nala.